Performance Reviews - the tips you won't find online

It's performance review aka PDR time. This is something no professional at any level should overlook, but it's even more crucial as a young lawyer when you are trying to climb that corporate ladder. 

The biggest mistake young professionals make is believing they are entitled to a payrise simply due to the effluxion of time. Ahhhh wrong!! You need to earn it and you need to show why you have earned it. Your Partner knows your are great in general, and PDR time is your chance to show them and HR why a payrise is justified. 

Here are my key tips to helping you nail your PDR. 

1. Take the time to complete the paperwork. Most firms give you timetable for PDRs, including links to the forms you are to complete (and when you will get they letter about any payrise!).  Do not do it the night before/morning of as you are bound to forget key information. 

2. Dig out your "Good Girl" (or boy) folder. A past Partner introduced me to this and it has been invaluable for not only PDR time, but also when tenders and proposals are being done. This is an email folder, and a hard copy binder, of all documents and emails reflecting your great work. It can be things from a client thanking you for getting a 2 day task to them overnight, or a note to yourself about a file you were instrumental in. 

3. Make sure you use attachments to support what you are saying. My first ever Partner told me before a trial, "if you are believed on your evidence, you will be successful". Evidence is key! When matters are opened, depending on the system, the referring lawyer and client introducing lawyer are referenced and reports can be run showing your stats. However, some programs can only record Senior Associates and above and your great efforts may not be recorded.  Therefore, I encourage you to keep a table with the following:  

a) new clients you have introduced to the firm;

b) new matters you have introduced to the firm - for new and existing clients; and

c) new instructions you have taken from new or existing clients that you have referred on to another workgroup. 

If you continually update this table throughout the financial year, it will help you complete your PDR forms quicker and in more detail. 

Other documents you should include are a summary of your average chargeables (yes, the Partner would have this, but you should have this information handy), key marketing and business development events/documents you have had input in, a list of articles you have had published (or contributed to for junior lawyers), seminars you have prepared or presented and any media regarding you/your matters. 

4. Know your worth. While mid and top tier firms continually benchmark salaries, you should also keep an eye on the market. Hays publish a great legal salary guide that you can request. If you feel as though you have contributed to the firm above someone at your level, use your attachments (see point 3) and the market guide to negotiate your salary. While it is a bold move to negotiate your salary, if you have the evidence and a good argument, (hopefully) you have nothing to loose. 

5. Plan ahead - where do you want to be in a year, 2 years and 5 years. Do not go into your PDR saying "I want to make Partner someday" when you are a first year. Yes this is a great goal, but be prepared to discuss short term goals. If you want to move to Associate or Senior Associate, set out a timeframe to discuss and have your Partner provide input to your career plan. 

If you want to start a Masters or other type of study and training, this is your chance to discuss the prospects of it working with your practice and if the Firm can fund it. 

6. Be prepared to discuss any issues you have. PDRs are a great time to discuss any diversification or specialisation you want within your workgroup. This is the time to ask if you could start working on professional indemnity files as well as public liability.  If you feel as though you are struggling with a certain area, ask what resources the Firm can offer to help you upskill. 

7. Ask your Partner what they believe your strengths and weaknesses are so you can grow and improve! Don't be offended by any weaknesses they highlight. Wouldn't you rather know what you can improve, as opposed to just letting it continue and it potentially impacting your career later? I would rather know. Knowledge is power!!

8. Don't lead with a negative. This is common with females who often say "I know we only just got that claim for X filed in time, but the instructions didn't come in until 10am". Instead use, "on X file, we received urgent instructions at 10am to file a claim that day.  I was able to rearrange other commitments and assist Special Counsel in drafting the claim so that it was approved by the client, filed and served that day by 3pm". See the difference - positivity without arrogance. Instead you have shown you can manage other clients expectations, manage your own commitments and work with the team to meet a tight timeframe. 

9. Use the time for the PDR meeting wisely. It is easy to get off track and start talking about your current matters, and while a ice-breaker is good, the focus needs to be on your career plan and getting through what you need to discuss. Similarly, if you think you will need longer for the meeting because there are extra details you want to discuss, eg putting in place next steps to get you on the Senior Associate path, have your secretary schedule more time. 

Remember to take pen and paper to the PDR so you can make notes on what you need to follow up. A PDR isn't finished at the end of the meeting, you need to be proactive and continue to action your career plan. Set yourself a bring up every 4-6 weeks throughout the year to review your career plan so you are not scrambling come April next year to get everything done. 

Good luck with your PDRs. It is a nerve racking time, but now is your chance to show why you should have a payrise and/or get a promotion. 

Cas